Issue #20 (2011) PDF - myweb - Long Island University

Then she hears the crash: a sound like glass shattering followed by a deep noise that reminds her of
her father at Grandpa Mac‘s funeral. Catherine looks up and then flicks something off the edge of
the tree house. Ben and Sarah continue picking strawberries.
―Did you hear that‖ Julie says. Catherine doesn‘t answer. Julie climbs down the ladder
which is almost entirely missing except for two rungs. ―What about dinner‖ Catherine yells after
her, but she is already at the screen door.
When she reaches the top of the stairs she hesitates. She holds her breath, afraid to make a
noise. For a moment, Julie looks at her hand on the banister and lets her vision blur. She wishes she
had glasses made of kaleidoscopes, so things could look hazy forever.
Aunt Norah is on the bathmat, sobbing, holding a bloody hand in the air. The shards of
glass from the mirror surround her like small, angular lakes.
Julie dials nine-one-one and explains to the operator that her aunt has had an accident with
the bathroom mirror. After replacing the receiver, she steps behind the curtains and watches the
yard. Catherine is burying something in the dirt as Ben and Sarah dance behind her. After patting
down the mound, Catherine remains on her knees and bows her head for a moment before
returning to the game.
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